The Greens have called for Unity Mining’s Dargues Reef gold project to be required to complete a new Environmental Assessment should it proceed with a modification proposal to process ore at its Majors Creek site.
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The call comes ahead of a community flotilla that will be held this Sunday 1 March on the Moruya River. The event is designed to highlight the potential risks to downstream water users including the Araluen and Deua Valleys and residents of Eurobodalla shire.
Greens Legislative Council candidate and South Coast resident Justin Field said, “Processing ore on site would create significant new risks to downstream water users and the company should be required to submit a new environment assessment.”
“It’s not enough for a simple modification review. There are increased risks to farms around Araluen and the Moruya River runs into the Bateman’s Bay Marine Park. Changes in water quality could impact on marine health and local fisheries,” Justin said.
Greens Environment Spokesperson Mehreen Faruqi said, “The community is already worried the mining industry has too much influence over Government. This needs to be a transparent process with all of the information on the table. A full Environmental Assessment ensures the community and the decision makers have the information to make a responsible decision.”
UNITY Mining’s managing director Andrew McIllwain is confident the company’s proposal to process gold with cyanide at its Majors Creek mine will be properly scrutinised. Unity has submitted its environmental assessment to NSW Planning for review, after which it will go on exhibition for public comment.
Mr McIllwain told the Bay Post “the document included an extensive range of risk assessments, including potential impacts to the Eurobodalla’s water supply.”
Mr McIllwain said “We haven’t taken this lightly and the assurance that we will provide the people is that it is well engineered and it will be well operated.”
Faruqi said, "I look forward to standing with the community on Sunday and calling on the Coalition Government to complete a transparent process to assess the environmental impacts of processing ore and undertake a genuine community engagement process. Our environment is too precious to be put at risk from polluting chemicals.".
The flotilla event will start at 11am east of Moruya Hospital finishing with speakers at Riverside Park. Those not paddling can join the rally by meeting on the Moruya River Bridge at 11am.